Study Abroad numbers increase at CMU despite nationwide decline
CMU’s Study Abroad program remains strong with increased numbers despite a study that reported a decreased number of American students traveling overseas.
The study, published by the Institute of International Education, showed during the 2008-09 academic year, 2,089 less students studied abroad compared to the previous year.
“There has been a big fallout from the financial downturn in the economy, and Michigan was hit hard,” said Study Abroad Director Dianne DeSalvo. “Our numbers did not go down, but actually saw an increase.”
There will be more faculty-led programs and students studying abroad this year than in previous years.
Though CMU’s numbers did not suffer, DeSalvo attributed the statistics across the U.S. to challenges from the economy and increased travel warnings. The H1N1 Flu made people worry more about traveling, DeSalvo said.
Alto senior and Study Abroad Peer Adviser Lindsey Forton also thought those warnings could be to blame.
“When people are traveling, especially internationally, those warnings scare them,” Forton said.
England’s change in visa requirements in the fall of 2009 impacted CMU’s program, though not significantly enough to impact numbers, DeSalvo said. With the changes, groups of student teaching programs were prevented from traveling.
“Money is obviously a big part too, but there is also a huge misconception of what studying abroad in college costs,” Forton said.
Considering Study Abroad as too expensive is a huge and unfortunate misconception and students should keep their options open, she said.
Another reason students may feel apprehensive about traveling is the fear of putting strain on their family, said Illinois senior and Study Abroad Peer Adviser Joey Rasich.
“Students who have parents that are out of a job or are tight on money may feel guilty,” Rasich said. “For me, I never doubted that I would study abroad, but my grandpa was really sick at home when I went.”
For students concerned about saving money, CMU offers a tuition exchange program, where the cost of studying abroad is at most equivalent per credit hour to what a student pays at CMU. DeSalvo said there was a student who ended up saving money by studying in Singapore rather than studying at CMU.
To be considered for scholarships through Study Abroad, DeSalvo encourages students to be up front with their worries about money, so advisers are able to look at their options.
“As for the future of students studying abroad in America, I think this decline is just temporary,” De Salvo said. “There is now this expectation for global education, and especially with students’ careers, the need is getting to be greater.”
